I’m proud and honored to announce that I will be running the 2026 Boston Marathon for the Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation.

On April 15, 2013, my family and I stood at the Boston Marathon finish line, preparing to watch our friend complete the race. At around 2:40 PM, my mom caught a glimpse of her running by, and we wandered from the front of Marathon Sports to the corner of Boylston and Dartmouth. Roughly five minutes later, two bombs went off, the first detonating just yards away from where we stood minutes before. I remember asking my mom if we were safe; she said no. We ran away from the finish line, taking refuge in a friend’s apartment.*

Thankfully, my family left the violence of the Boston Marathon bombing unscathed. But the impact on so many individuals standing just beside me—and the toll it took on our city and nation—will stay with me forever. 

Born and raised in Boston by a family of runners, I always knew I wanted to run the Boston Marathon. Since the bombing, I’ve felt passionate about running for a cause that could help support those who stood beside me that day. I am honored to announce that I will be running the 2026 Boston Marathon for The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital to support the physicians who saved so many limbs and lives that day. 

Gillian Reny, one of these individuals who stood at the finish line, was left with traumatic injuries. The efforts of a multidisciplinary medical team at Brigham and Women's Hospital saved her life and legs.

In gratitude, her family established The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation at the Brigham, where today, Gillian's strength drives a relentless pursuit to transform how we prevent, treat, and recover from traumatic injury, the leading cause of death for people ages 44 and younger in the United States.

The Stepping Strong Center unites healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community members to revolutionize trauma care and rebuild lives. Here's how:

• Fuel Research: Supporting clinical studies and collaborative projects that accelerate solutions and improve trauma patient outcomes 

• Reimagine Care: Embracing the latest research to redefine best practices and transform trauma care for survivors

• Advance Education: Training the next generation of trauma leaders and empower the public to respond to trauma 

• Inspire Advocacy: Championing trauma survivors and injury prevention by raising awareness, supporting policy initiatives, and improving public safety

• When you support a member of the Stepping Strong Boston Marathon Team, you're helping turn tragedy into hope for civilian and military heroes who have suffered devastating traumatic injuries. This philanthropically funded center depends on generous donations like yours to sustain life-changing programs and initiatives. 

Thank you for supporting me and continuing to honor the Boston Strong spirit that still defines our city today. Learn more about the Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation at the Brigham here: www.bwhsteppingstrong.org. 

*You can see this moment captured on camera in the Netflix documentary "American Manhunt." A security camera shows me and my family in the first sixty seconds of the show. 

Brigham and Women's Hospital is a proud partner of the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program.